Pope Leo XIV declared a 15-year-old computer expert as the Catholic Church’s first millennial saint on Sunday. This decision provided a role model for the next generation of Catholics who used technology to spread faith and earned the moniker ‘influencer of God.’ However, some miracles promoted by Acutis have been accused of being antisemitic.
Leo declared Carlo Acutis a saint, who died in 2006. This took place during an open-air prayer service in St. Peter’s Square, attended by thousands, including many millennials and couples with young children.
During the ceremony, Leo also canonized Pier Giorgio Frassati, another popular Italian who died at a young age. The Vatican statement mentioned that 36 cardinals, 270 bishops, and 212 priests joined Leo to celebrate the prayer service, which symbolizes immense attraction for both the hierarchy of saints and the general public.
A controversy surrounds the event. Some people claim that the miracles Acutis promoted online are based on centuries-old antisemitic myths, which have promoted hatred and violence against Jewish communities. Some prominent Jews and Catholics have criticized Rome for ignoring the antisemitic intentions associated with these miracles.
Thousands of people gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the prayer service to declare Carlo Acutis a saint. Before the prayer service began, Leo, the first American Pope in history, made an unannounced appearance before the crowd and welcomed ‘the many young people who came to this holy prayer service.’
